Wednesday, March 23, 2016

#MWA - Music and Words Award

The following is quoted from the blog belonging to, Mr. Shady Del Knight :

"The Music & Words Award" was created by music fan Andrea aka Miss Andi. The purpose is to acknowledge and bring together music-loving bloggers from all over the world, and sharing info about artists and music of all genres." Thank you, Shady!


No one is obligated to accept the MWA, but those who do are asked to follow these five steps:


1 -Link back to the person who nominated you .
2- Answer the questions with words AND music
3- Pass the award on to 5 bloggers who inspire you with their posts about music
4- Tag your post with #MWA, for Music&Words Award so that we can all find you down the line. Tags are not my specialty - sorry.
5- Quote these 5 steps and the award icon in your post. You can display the icon on your sidebar as well. 

I accepted this award from Stephen T. McCarthy, even though I was later nominated by others. Thank you, Stephen!

Here we go with the Q & A:

Q1: What does music mean to you? 

I use music as  a part of me, for reflection, expression, or simply,"a do-nothing day." Wherever I go, music goes. I allow lyrics and melodies to impress me. As an example, I had the urge to "go west, young girl". "The Mamas and the Papas" had a song I loved, and it has stayed with me all these years. Of course I've yet to see California, much less L.A, however, for this post I would like to share "The Beach Boy's" cover of it. A young girl stays East but still loves the western artist(!) Poor baby!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3VBoE3g4k&feature=youtu.be




I love movie soundtracks. I'll feature two that inspired me at a young age. Both are works of Mr. Henry Mancini. Ironically both songs are rather haunting-sounding to me.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3VBoE3g4k&feature=youtu.be



Q2: What is your first music-related memory?


My first musical memory was my Mom's musical jewelry box. Children were not allowed to wind the key to play the little song. Every time she'd open it, I'd beg her to wind it up. After her passing in 1997, I received the jewelry box from my Dad. Unfortunately, the mechanism no longer worked. I'm left with a memory of the tune... "Around the World in 80 Days."


  Q3: What was the first album you’ve purchased yourself?

 My family loved the beach, and this song played quite a bit. I saved my allowance for 'The Drifters'. I was still in elementary school. I called this my "Motown Era", even though I didn't know then what I know now. It was simply a time of great tunes!



 Q4: What was the latest music you purchased? (No online streaming or free downloads, I’m talking about cash here!)


There's a question! Offhand, I'd say a 'Johnny Mathis' CD in the last eight months. It replaced an album someone had taken from me many years before. A former babysitter gave it to me the day before she committed suicide. I was eight years old then. I never tire of hearing it.



 Q5: Which song did you listen to last? (No cheating, come out with the dirty pleasures!)


How funny! My neighbor operates his own construction company. He and I are working out a "swap" for his services on home repairs for my house. (Nothing dirty, though). He looks like a gray-haired Jon Bon Jovi. Whaddaya think? Should I hire him??


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CeX5VEo10c&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32YPozK5Y-0

Nominations - So many have already been named within the BOTB group. So, I ask, "who would like to do this?" I open the floor to any, and all takers. Just leave me an "ACCEPT" notation in your comment. Thank you :) 

16 comments:

  1. Hi, dear Dixie!

    What an exciting post you assembled here! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the soundtrack of your life. The Mamas and Papas single of "California Dreamin'" was a big hit at the Shady Dell. The version by the Beach Boys is magnificent and the video powerful. In my childhood years the music of Henry Mancini and his orchestra often filled my house. The two selections you posted bring back my own memories of that time. Audrey Hepburn is as popular today as she ever was, recognized by many young bloggers as a style icon as well as a great actress. There's nothing like the gentle melody of a music box to take us back to our early years. I enjoyed "Around the World in 80 Days." I admire Johnny Mathis because he brings an air of dignity and decency to his craft and sings from the soul.

    Congratulations on receiving the Music & Words Award, dear friend Dixie!

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    1. Thank you, Shady. I'm glad my post brought some memories back for you!

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  2. That is a heavy memory tied to the Johnny Mathis album.

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    Replies
    1. Yes it was, but I had to replace it. It represented a special time, she and I spent listening to the album. Still does!

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  3. DIXIE POLKA ~
    You did this one so well. It made me a little sad.

    I love the music box memory. That was totally unique in this meme. I'm so glad you got to keep the music box even if it no longer plays. You could always get that repaired someday.

    Suicides are hard to live through. (Not really meant as a pun, though it came out like one.) And what a shame that someone would steal that album from you.

    CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' - I always loved that song by The Mamas & The Papas. I was shocked the day I discovered The Beach Boys version and liked it even BETTER'N the original. As you may recall, a long time back I did a BOTB between those two recordings. The Beach Boys didn't win but I felt that should have.

    How's that file of artwork coming along?

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    Replies
    1. My older brother recently told me about a man to repair the jewelry box. I'm hoping to talk to this man, this weekend!

      I'm attempting to divide the artwork into categories, making it easier to send and receive. I'll have something to you soon. Thank you.

      Aha! So it was from your that got the Beach Boys link from? I remember copying it, hoping to use it one day. Not necessarily for a battle but a post elsewhere. This was the spot it landed on. Thank you.

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    2. ~D-FensDogG -

      Post Script: I like the Beach Boys' version better too!

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    3. DIXIE ~
      I sure wish you were involved in BOTB back when I used 'California Dreaming', The Mamas & The Papas versus The Beach Boys. Because our Boys needed all the help they could get: that was a bad blowout, 12 to 4.

      I didn't really expect them to win, but I sure thought more people would be surprised by how good their cover was and would vote for them. That was another one of those times when I imagined a really close Battle that... wasn't.

      ~ D-FensDogG

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    4. ~ D-FensDogG,

      Unfortunately, I sympathize! I've had some wacky battles. See you tomorrow!

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  4. Nice to learn more about you through your music, Dixie. Exodus and Moon River bring back a lot of memories. Touching story about your Mom. How sad about the baby sitter, too! I'm glad you were able to replace that album.

    Your neighbour sounds sexy! ☺ If he's a good carpenter, why not?

    I've already written my post for this award, which you can see HERE, if you're interested. You were on my nominations list as well. Cheers!

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    Replies
    1. I found it to be interesting how songs could become so attached to memories...or is it the other way around?

      He's a good carpenter with an outstanding crew. I'm wanting all of the bases covered before we 'shake hands.'

      I did see your nomination of me. I've been nominated on two different blogs so far. I'll return to yours today. Typing with one hand is still tough. I hope I get complete movement back soon.
      @dcrelief from

      Remove the rose Colored glasses
      anartfulblogger
      dcrelief - Battle of the Bands

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    2. I didn't realize you had a problem with your hand. Hope it gets better soon! Thanks for checking out my awards post. Have a good weekend!

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    3. Thank you, Debbie. Beautiful weather, so far!

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  5. I was surprised at how beautiful I found that Johnny Mathis song to be.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Michael. I truly enjoyed your latest post!

      I've been a Mathis fan for decades! Glad you enjoyed this song.

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